When Seattle was debating the $15 minimum wage, some industry lobby groups tried to pretend that raising wages would be bad for our economy. But two years after the minimum wage law passed and with raises phasing in, Seattle is booming and jobs are widely available — more evidence of the simple truth that more people with more money means more customers for more businesses.

In fact, restaurant & hotel owners are now reporting that the economy is so strong, they're having trouble hiring — and that higher wages are spreading into the area around Seattle. (Which of course is the exact opposite of businesses fleeing the city because of higher wages.)

Ivar’s reports they've had to raise wages at their restaurants outside of Seattle in order to hire staff.

Dick's Drive-In reports that it’s difficult to find employees because the higher minimum wage means “everyone else is more in line with us.” (Previously Dick's claimed they'd cut benefits if wages were raised.)

And the owner of a Lynnwood-based hotel group reports difficulty recruiting employees because of the increasing minimum wage in Seattle.

It's all yet more evidence that when we raise wages, we lift up workers, boost the economy — and the sky remains aloft.

About Working Washington: Our mission is to build a powerful workers’ movement that can not only dramatically improve wages and working conditions, but can also change the local and national conversation about wealth, inequality, and the value of work. More info…

Our mission is to build a powerful workers’ movement that can not only dramatically improve wages and working conditions, but can also change the local and national conversation about wealth, inequality, and the value of work.

Working Washington fast food strikers sparked the fight that won Seattle's landmark $15 minimum wage. We drove Amazon to sever ties with right-wing lobby group ALEC and improve conditions in their sweatshop warehouses. And we helped lead the winning campaign in SeaTac for a $15 living wage.